Today is number 2 for me. Now this was my 4th boat so that doesn't make me so smart about learning from these rules. No plan to buy another boat, for at least 10 years when I will live on it for at least a year

June 03, 2009

Poor access here so this one is quick, will fill in more details later. Everyone thinks the gulf stream crossing is a big deal. Yesterday was much tougher. Not only was it 100 miles the stretch east of Mangrove Cay for about 50 miles is unprotected to the North and was quite rough. I went through two big storms. For a few hours I could only go about 7 mph because it was so rough. I made it. More to come.

June 01, 2009

In contracting the saying goes measure twice cut once. In boating, especially in solo excursions on the ocean the saying should be plan 3 times and cruise once.

I made the crossing today across the Gulf Stream from Palm Beach to West End Grand Bahama. I was lucky with the weather as the winds were low so the overall ocean conditions were very good. Today's trek was about 70 miles and I did it in about 4 hours including breaks for snacks, restroom (they were everywhere :-)) etc.

In thinking through today I would say that the planning for today, while not physically as challenging, was more work than the ride itself. Countless hours went into planning routes, having backup systems for backup systems, having several plans of what to do in the case of an emergency. And fortunately all that planning paid off and sans the minor mishaps below everything went perfectly.

I arrived in the Bahamas around 11. I had to sport a yellow quarantine flag which I was never able to find so I tied an old yellow t-shirt that Carrington let me have to the ski. I pulled up to the customs dock. You should have seen the look on the immigration officers. They asked be at least 2-3 times the name of my vessel before they realized "it doesn't have no name man 'cause its just a wave runner". They called many over on VHF channel 10 to greet me and to talk to the crazy guy who brought his wave runner from Palm Beach. Everyone was very pleasant and gracious

I will be posting some photos and videos soon. In the meantime here are the highlights

Number of times something went wrong while out in the ocean crossing the gulf stream: 0

Bonehead maneuver....Knocking the GoPro camera and its suction mount off of the waverunner as I was pulling up to the dock at customs

Undoing the bonehead maneuver. Diving down into the channel, was only about 15 ft, and retrieving said go pro camera

Grossest Moment. Walking out of my hotel room and wondering why the guy driving by me was watering the lawn by driving a truck with a tank on the back spraying water into the air. Then as I took a few steps into the cloud realizing that it was bug spray not water. eeeccchhhhh

Most Embarrassing Moment-on behalf of Americans. The Bahamian people have all been wonderful. They are helpful polite and respectful. Some of them will stay near the docks and offer a hand to an incoming vessel in exchange for a tip. On one occasion I walked by an "ugly american" standing on the back of his multi million dollar yacht aruging with the local gentleman that had just carried his bags ashore that $3/bag was simply too expensive. To the Bahamian people, I apologize on his behalf

Bahama Hero of the Day. Carrington from Greater Yamaha in Palm Beach. He met me at his store this morning at 5:30 to drive me over to the launch ramp. He has gone above an beyond in helping me with this trip